Chase Briscoe might have scored two wins in his maiden season with a powerhouse like Joe Gibbs Racing, assured that the gear below him can be top-notch. However forward of Darlington, he downplayed expectations, saying his focus was on reaching the Spherical of 8.
After Sunday’s Southern 500 win, nevertheless, he clarified whether or not that modest purpose was about staying grounded or simply avoiding long-term hypothesis. Briscoe defined that his phrases from media day had been misinterpreted.
“The expectation, we’re not saying, we have to make it to the Spherical of 4. It looks as if at JGR, actually, it’s the ultimate 4, however definitely for those who don’t make it to not less than the Spherical of 8, it’s an enormous failure,” he mentioned.
Briscoe identified that within the greater image, there are solely eight to 10 vehicles really able to working for the title, the fleet from JGR and Hendrick, plus a couple of Penske machines.
Falling exterior that group, regardless of being a driver from these groups, often means a driver didn’t have the type of season that measures up. Nonetheless, Briscoe believes the No. 19 workforce is constructed for a Championship 4 run, and possibly even the final word prize.
Briscoe added, “It’s only a matter of placing 10 weeks collectively. Clearly, we began week one the way in which we have to. I do know they’re not going to all come as straightforward as they did tonight.
“However definitely, if we are able to proceed to carry the pace and execute and be on pit street the way in which we had been, it makes it the place I really feel like we begin even internally realizing we’re undoubtedly able to this. Hopefully different folks will, too.”
His Darlington win vaulted him previous Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and regular-season champion William Byron within the standings, putting him atop the playoff ladder. With out that victory and his common end of 25.0 at Gateway, the JGR Toyota driver might have been below strain heading into Bristol, the place his six begins common a 13.2 end.
As a substitute, the win ensures Briscoe’s place within the Spherical of 12. Now the duty shifts to stacking extra victories, pushing him first into the Spherical of 8, and finally taking goal on the Championship 4.
